Addiction: symptoms, causes and treatment

Addiction definition

What is addiction?

Addiction or what is also called addiction is the psychological and physical inability to stop consuming certain chemicals, drugs, activities, or substances, even though doing so can cause adverse adverse effects.

A condition that causes chronic dysfunction of the brain system, makes a person unable to control how they use a substance or take part in an activity, and they become dependent on it to deal with daily life.

There are many addiction that can attack someone, such as:

• Drug use.
• Use of opioids or consumption of benzodiazepines in medicine.
• Excessive drinking of alcohol.
• Addicted to nicotine in cigarettes.
• Addiction to eating or specific types of food.
• Addicted to playing games or addicted to having sex.

How common is this condition?

Addiction or addiction is a very common condition. It is recorded that most cases are drug users and alcohol abuse so that sufferers need to undergo rehabilitation.

Addiction signs & symptoms

Addiction happens gradually. Initially, a person will experiment with a substance or activity out of curiosity. Then, the use of substances or activities carried out will increase with artificial reasons.

Furthermore, the sufferer will use the substance or perform these activities more often and start ignoring the consequences. Lastly, they want this to be used or done every day even though they sometimes experience the negative effects.

Most of the signs addiction associated with impaired one's ability to maintain self-control on something.

In some cases, the sufferer will also show a lack of control, such as using or doing something more than desired.

More specifically, the signs and symptoms shown by someone experiencing addiction are:

• The desire for a substance or activity increases.
• Unable to move away from or avoid the desired activity or substance.
• Unable to control oneself over what is mitigated and ignore the bad effects that may occur.
• Poor in assessing the benefits or side effects of using a substance or doing an activity.
• When experiencing problems from the activity or using the desired substance, they tend to blame others.
• Difficulty understanding feelings but being a more sensitive person.
• Easily anxious, sad, and depressed, and overreact when feeling stressed.
• Losing interest in other activities that are carried out on a daily basis.
• Having trouble sleeping.
• It is difficult to build relationships with other people and get a job.

When to see a doctor

If you experience the characteristics of addiction to a certain substance or activity, as mentioned above, see a doctor immediately.

Usually, sufferers cannot observe the changes themselves. So, as a partner, family, or friend, you need to take him to the doctor for treatment.

Cause of addiction

The main cause of addiction is the changes that occur in the brain.

When trying a certain substance or activity, some people may avoid it and some people become addicted.

This is influenced by the frontal lobe of the brain which allows a person to delay feeling satisfied on something.

In people who experience addiction, damage to the frontal lobe, specifically the anterior cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens which is associated with pleasant sensations, can increase a person's response to exposure to substances and addictive behaviors.

Other brain-influenced causes of addiction include chemical imbalances in the brain and the presence of mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Addiction risk factors

Although the cause of addiction is known to stem from changes in the brain, some people with certain factors are also at greater risk of developing this condition, including:

• Genetic factors

Additions often run in families. That is why genetics can be a risk factor. According to the University of Utah, the A1 (allele) form of the dopamine receptor gene DRD2 is more common in people who are addicted to alcohol, cocaine, and opioids.

Then, people with the Per1 and Per2 genes tended to drink more alcohol and people with a certain gene form of CHRNA5 were twice as likely to become dependent on nicotine.

• Environment

Lack of parental attention and inappropriate relationships can make teenagers want to try drinking alcohol and using drugs. It can also occur when children are sexually abused because they want to deal with the emotions they are feeling.

• Early exposure and other risk factors

Exposure to alcohol, certain activities, such as watching pornographic videos or playing games games in children can make them addicted. In addition, other factors that can cause a person to become addicted to something include:

• Following the injection method treatment tends to be more addictive.
• Having a mental illness, such as depression, can encourage a person to drink alcohol or use illegal drugs.

Addiction complications

Untreated addiction can lead to complications including:

• Causes heart disease, HIV / AIDS, and nerve damage.
• Experiencing severe anxiety, stress, and depression disorders.
• Bankruptcy in a business venture and own a lot of forest.
• Relationships with spouses, family and those around them are damaged and risk being in prison.

Addiction diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

In order to make a diagnosis of addiction, the doctor will evaluate the patient's symptoms. Then, the doctor will also look at the patient's and family's medical history.

In addition, doctors will also work closely with psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmacists and alcohol counselors to assess the patient's condition. Some medical tests like blood tests and urine tests will also be done if it is related to substance use.

How to treat addiction?

All types of addiction can be treated. Treatment will focus on patients to stop seeking and become involved in the things that make them addicted. Usually, this treatment is in the form of therapy, such as:

• Treatment of underlying disease, such as applying treatments to treat depression, undergoing schizophrenia treatment, and following treatment for bipolar disorder.
• Follow psychotherapy, which is therapy for behavior and speech therapy.
• Undergo rehabilitation in hospital to reduce symptoms.

Addiction treatment at home

Sufferers addiction will find it difficult to control themselves over something they really want. Therefore, home treatment that needs to be emphasized is the role of family and caregivers as companions and supporters of patients to recover from this condition.

So, always make sure the patient's treatment runs smoothly and routinely. Then, supervise the patient to stay away from things that make them addicted.

Addiction prevention

Addiction is an avoidable condition. The way to prevent addiction is to quit smoking or limit certain activities excessively and be careful in using drugs. Make sure you use the medicines under a doctor's supervision.

Always ensure the child's play environment, equip them with the knowledge not to drink alcohol, smoke, or use illegal drugs.

Also limit the use of gadgets to access social media or various games. Then, strengthen relationships in the family and create a warm, loving family.